Duane Charles Meyer

Duane Charles Meyer was born on February 10, 1933 on the family farm in Sherburn, Minnesota.  He was the son of William and Clara (Grupe) Meyer.  Duane was baptized and later confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sherburn, Minnesota.  He attended rural school District 46 through the 8th grade and Sherburn High School where he graduated with the class of 1951. 

He worked locally until he volunteered for the draft and entered the army in April 1953.  His basic training was at Ft. Lewis, Washington, where he served the rest of his military time until he was discharged in April, 1955.

In 1954 while stationed at Ft. Lewis, Duane married Vera Libra from Jackson, Minnesota, in the Lutheran Church in Tacoma, Washington.  During their time in Washington, their son Michael Duane Meyer was born at the Madigan Army Medical Center.

After Duane was discharged from the army in 1954, he and Vera moved to Mankato, MN.  He went to the Mankato Technical School.  While living in Mankato, their daughter Meredith Faye Meyer was born.  Upon graduation in 1957, he was hired by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company in Hutchinson, MN where the family made their home.  After six years in Hutchinson, Duane was transferred to a new 3M plant in Freehold, NJ and the family moved there in 1961.  In 1969 he left 3M for an engineering position with BASF in Billerica, MA and he moved his family to Chelmsford, MA.   In 1982 he again changed positions and worked for Allied Signal (now Honeywell) until his retirement in 1997.  In 1998, after 30 years in Chelmsford, Duane and Vera sold their home, purchased a motorhome and traveled the USA for about 6 years  --  Duane being the sole driver, and “parker,” and funny story teller.  At the end of the motorhome travels they purchased, then sold, a condo in Apache Junction, AZ.  Finally purchasing a forever home in Centennial, CO to be near Mike and Meridy.

In the mid-1970s Duane started a tax business.  He wanted to have a part-time job that would be of interest long term, and he took bookkeeping and tax classes.  The bookkeeping didn’t “stick” but his tax business is still thriving fifty some years later and . . . .  he was at his desk until noon on the day of his death on March 22, 2024.  He had a passion for helping people with their taxes, and came to know and love his clients.  Son, Michael, became a partner in the business several years ago and Duane was happy and proud to know the business will continue.

For over 50 years, Duane and Vera have had a lake cottage in New Hampshire and Duane loved spending time there  --  planting and taking care of flowers, bringing in wood for -- and tending --  the wood stove  (sometimes in July), he didn’t even mind raking leaves!  Occasionally “putting a line” in the water, catching a fish wasn’t necessary.  Visits from family and friends were treasured.

Left to cherish Duane’s memory are his wife, Vera of Sunapee, NH and Centennial, CO; son and daughter-in-law Michael Duane Meyer and Linda Lee Hinds of Aurora, CO; daughter and son-in-law Meredith Faye Tinkham and John Mark Cleaveland of Edwards, CO and Plano, TX;  granddaughter and family Aelayna Nicole Meyer and Christopher Bolka, great grandchildren Griffin and Greer Bolka of Tulsa OK;  grandson Riley Emerson Tinkham of Westcliffe CO; his half-brothers  Larry (Vickie) Meyer of Edmond, Washington and Charles (Donna) Meyer, Cleveland, MN; half-sisters Joyce Ask (Arnie Groshens) of Sherburn, MN and Barbara Maxwell (Wayne, deceased) of Port Townsend, WA; sister-in-law Lois Hummel (Phil, deceased) of Miramar Beach, FL; as well as many loved nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents William and Clara Meyer, step-mother Mollie (Loos) Meyer, sisters and brothers-in-law Ramona (Swen) Anderson, Celia (Harold) Anderson, Eunice (Bud) Lund, Ruth Ann (Arlyn) Sandersfeld; infant sisters Evalou and Luella; brothers and sisters-in-law Lewis (Mavis) Meyer, Darwin (Mable) Meyer, and Clifford (Bonnie and Lucille) Meyer; infant brother Erbin; infant half sisters Sandra and Gloria; sister-in-law Beverly Libra, brothers-in-law Dean Libra, and Philip Hummel, as well as members of his extended family.

I would like to thank the 911 service in Centennial and the Aurora Metro Fire and Rescue Team.  During my anxiety over my husband’s unexpected crisis, their quick response and expertise were a comfort.

I would also like to thank the entire emergency room staff at Parker Hospital.  For me, they were everything a team in an emergency room should be  --  calm, efficient, thoughtful, helpful, caring and sympathetic.  Dr. Rachel Rosenfield listened and advised and proceeded.  She helped me with an immediate, exceedingly difficult decision in a way that only a very caring professional can.  I’m very grateful to her.   I want to thank Chaplain Matthew for his time and his prayers and also thank nurse Heather.  The suggestions they made have been very helpful.

Vera Meyer

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